Media Release - Australian Juniors

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Junior Track and Field Team Announced for Sydney Nationals

Athletics Tasmania has confirmed a team of 50 will head to Sydney from March 14-18th for the Australian Junior Athletics Championships.

The annual championships has attracted more than 2,000 of the country's next generation athletes for five days of full on competition at Sydney Olympic Park.

Tasmania has a strong history at the event, with the likes of Jack Hale, Josh Harris, Kaitlin Morgan, Huw and Hamish Peacock all medalists over the years and progressing to International competition.

The selected team this year comprises of a number of previous medalists including Launceston's Sam Clifford. Clifford, having already tasted success over 3,000m previously, enters this year as the Australian Cross Country Champion for his age and will line up in 1,500m and 3,000m in the U17 age group.

Distance duo Ebony Webb and Ruby Smee will be looking for continued success at a national level and enter the championships as some of the more experienced members of the Athletics Tasmania team. Both females finished 4th and 5th respectively in the U18 3,000m last year, with Webb claiming a silver medal in the steeplechase and Smee placing 4th in the 1,500m.

Pole vaulter Raphaela Corney will also look to defend her title. The UTAS Athletics Club athlete soared over 3.50m to win the U17 national title last year by a whopping 35cm and will be looking to continue her stranglehold on that event in her age on a national level.

Athletics Tasmania Executive Officer Gabby Steele said the team was well balanced and full of excitement.

"We have a great mix of athletes across the full quota of events, including sprints, distance, jumps, throws and walks."

"For many of these athletes it will be the pinnacle of their season and will bring to fruition all the work that they and their coaches have put in over many of the past few months," Steele added.